Southdown Elementary student receives letter from President Obama

Wednesday

Mar 26, 2014 at 1:05 PMMar 26, 2014 at 6:44 PM

A few months ago, 9-year-old Abigail Porter asked her father, Daniel, for the address of the White House.

Rachel WarrenStaff Writer

A few months ago, 9-year-old Abigail Porter asked her father, Daniel, for the address of the White House.Before her father could ask why she wanted it, Abigail was already in her bedroom, writing a letter to President Barack Obama.“I wanted to tell him how great I think he is,” Abigail said. “He's a great leader for our country.”Earlier this month, the Southdown Elementary student received a startling surprise in the mail — a response from the commander-in-chief.“I didn't think he would write back,” she said with a laugh. “I didn't know it was coming.”Daniel Porter, 78, was even more surprised than his daughter. He thought Abigail had asked for the address for a homework assignment and had no idea she was mailing a letter to the White House.“It shocked me,” he said. “It just brought tears to my eyes.”In his letter, a typed response from the White House with what appears to be the president's signature on it, Obama encourages Abigail to continue doing well in school and to work toward her dreams. He also included a photograph of himself, which now hangs, with the letter, in a frame on Abigail's bedroom wall.“I'm very excited,” she said. “I know not that many people have the opportunity to get a letter from the president.”Daniel Porter said he's “very proud” of his daughter for taking the initiative to write the president without any help.“That's something for her to be proud of, too,” he said as his eyes welled up with tears.The 9-year-old said she hopes to one day become a pediatrician because she enjoys helping others. The president's words of encouragement, she said, have inspired her to continue dreaming and working toward her goal.